Amarillo TX vs Sandy UT — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Amarillo, TX
Texas · Population: 200,945
- Median HH Income$62,469
- Median Home Price$208,517
- Unemployment3.6%
- Bachelor's+25.1%
Sandy, UT
Utah · Population: 94,723
- Median HH Income$111,242
- Median Home Price$672,082
- Unemployment2.5%
- Bachelor's+45.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Amarillo
200,945
Amarillo +
Sandy
94,723
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Amarillo
N/A
Sandy
N/A
Median Age
Amarillo
35.0
Amarillo +
Sandy
36.9
Foreign Born
Amarillo
11.0%
Amarillo +
Sandy
10.3%
White
Amarillo
68.0%
Sandy
81.8%
Sandy +
Black
Amarillo
7.4%
Amarillo +
Sandy
0.8%
Asian
Amarillo
4.2%
Amarillo +
Sandy
3.5%
Hispanic
Amarillo
33.7%
Amarillo +
Sandy
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Amarillo
N/A
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 200,945 | 94,723 | Amarillo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 36.9 | Amarillo + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 10.3% | Amarillo + |
| White | 68.0% | 81.8% | Sandy + |
| Black | 7.4% | 0.8% | Amarillo + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 3.5% | Amarillo + |
| Hispanic | 33.7% | 11.3% | Amarillo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Amarillo
$62,469
Sandy
$111,242
Sandy +
Per Capita Income
Amarillo
$35,133
Sandy
$50,592
Sandy +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Amarillo
$63,758
Amarillo +
Sandy
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Amarillo
3.6%
Sandy
2.5%
Sandy +
Poverty Rate
Amarillo
15.8%
Sandy
5.5%
Sandy +
Bachelor's Degree+
Amarillo
25.1%
Sandy
45.7%
Sandy +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,469 | $111,242 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,133 | $50,592 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $60,713 | Amarillo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 2.5% | Sandy + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.8% | 5.5% | Sandy + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.1% | 45.7% | Sandy + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Amarillo
$208,517
Amarillo +
Sandy
$672,082
Homeownership Rate
Amarillo
59.6%
Sandy
75.9%
Sandy +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $208,517 | $672,082 | Amarillo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.6% | 75.9% | Sandy + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
442
Sandy
245
Sandy +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Amarillo
2339
Sandy
1931
Sandy +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 245 | Sandy + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1931 | Sandy + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
38.5%
Sandy
28.5%
Sandy +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
13.6%
Sandy
8.4%
Sandy +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Amarillo
18.4%
Sandy
16.5%
Sandy +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
19.4%
Sandy
8.7%
Sandy +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
17.1%
Sandy
15.2%
Sandy +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Amarillo
14.9%
Sandy
7.4%
Sandy +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 28.5% | Sandy + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 8.4% | Sandy + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 16.5% | Sandy + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 19.4% | 8.7% | Sandy + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 15.2% | Sandy + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 7.4% | Sandy + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
57.4°F
Sandy
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Amarillo
20.4 in
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Amarillo
9.2 µg/m³
Sandy
7.0 µg/m³
Sandy +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Amarillo
55.0%
Sandy
75.0%
Sandy +
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Sandy + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Sandy + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Amarillo
20.6 min
Amarillo +
Sandy
24.6 min
| Metric | Amarillo, TX | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 24.6 min | Amarillo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy leads in median household income at $111,242, while amarillo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $208,517. On public safety, Sandy is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Amarillo. Sandy has a lower unemployment rate at 2.5%, and Sandy has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sandy scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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